Martin Andreeson Character Analysis in Peace Like a River

Swede refers to Andreeson, the federal agent tasked with locating Davy, as a "putrid fed." However, Andreeson seems to have genuine sympathy for Davy and wants to do the right thing. For much of the novel, the Lands (except for Jeremiah) see him as their enemy and treat him as such. It’s implied that Andreeson is killed by Jape Waltzer.

Martin Andreeson Quotes in Peace Like a River

The Peace Like a River quotes below are all either spoken by Martin Andreeson or refer to Martin Andreeson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Led? This was supposed to mean the Lord was in charge and paving your way, such as letting you get fired so you'll be free to leave town, or sending you an Airstream you can go in comfort. Dad knew something about being led, I realized, yet this I could not buy.

Related Characters: Reuben Land (speaker), Roxanna Crawley, Martin Andreeson, Jeremiah Land (Dad)

Page Number and Citation: 217

Explanation and Analysis:

"If you like Mr. Andreeson better as an enemy, then keep him one. Maybe that's your job as a boy—as a brother. My job is different."
"How come?"
"Because I'm the dad. I have to heed the Lord's instructions."

Related Characters: Jeremiah Land (Dad) (speaker), Reuben Land (speaker), Martin Andreeson

Page Number and Citation: 246

Explanation and Analysis:

Martin Andreeson Character Timeline in Peace Like a River

The timeline below shows where the character Martin Andreeson appears in Peace Like a River. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...in a suit with a federal ID into the kitchen. This man says he is Andreeson, a federal investigator tasked with capturing Davy. Andreeson asks Dad to contact him if Davy... (full context)

...from August Schultz. Apparently Davy stopped in to see the Schultzes, and August indicates that Andreeson visited them as well. While Swede is ready to head west immediately, Dad spends the... (full context)

...as Birdie tells Dad that Davy doesn't understand how much trouble he's in. August mentions Andreeson's visit, and Swede whispers "ratfink" in Reuben's ear, which makes Reuben giggle. Dad says the... (full context)

...Reuben and Dad take a nap, but Reuben wakes minutes later to Swede saying that Andreeson is parked across the park. Reuben creeps out of his bunk to peek and sees... (full context)

...dinner. As they eat, they hear a bang on the Airstream door. Dad admits Mr. Andreeson into the Airstream. Mr. Andreeson tries to make small talk about the beauty of the... (full context)

...Dad's bed to watch the highway disappear behind them. Reuben is thrilled that they escaped Andreeson, but Swede isn't willing to celebrate. She suggests that Andreeson will just find them again. (full context)

Reuben wonders why Andreeson went to such lengths to find them. Swede says she expected it, and cagily says... (full context)

As Roxanna dishes up food out of her Dutch oven, Dad points out that Martin Andreeson is approaching. Andreeson refuses Dad's dinner invitation, introduces himself to Roxanna, and sits down on... (full context)

...tells the reader that judging by the look on her face, she'd raised Davy herself. Andreeson asks Dad if he'd help by driving around with him, suggesting that he might be... (full context)

Reuben feels sick and scared of Andreeson. Dad refuses Andreeson's request and tells Andreeson he's suggesting "spookism." Andreeson says that Mr. Holgren... (full context)

Later that night, Swede and Reuben wonder why Andreeson didn't arrest them and what exactly "spookism" is. Reuben wonders why Andreeson is hoping to... (full context)

...and the rest of the family last night at the lignite field. He asks who Andreeson is, and Reuben launches into descriptions of how horrible Andreeson is. Reuben asks Davy where... (full context)

...come down to Roxanna's to see Swede, but Davy gently refuses, citing the threat of Andreeson as his reasoning. Davy says that he's trying to avoid going to prison. Reuben asks... (full context)

...asks if Reuben was looking for Dad, and explains that Dad went out with Mr. Andreeson. Reuben cannot understand why Dad would do such a thing, but Swede offers no answers.... (full context)

In the barn, Reuben tells Dad that he liked it better when Mr. Andreeson was an enemy. Dad leads Reuben in questioning what role Mr. Andreeson plays in what... (full context)

The next morning, Reuben goes down to the kitchen to find Mr. Andreeson sitting at the table drinking coffee with Dad. Reuben wants to hate Andreeson, but can't... (full context)

...neigh. Reuben goes with Davy to the shack that night and tells Mr. Waltzer that Andreeson is closing in. Mr. Waltzer is shoeing a horse and seems unconcerned. He shifts Reuben's... (full context)

Over dinner, Mr. Waltzer refuses to speak of Andreeson. Mr. Waltzer tells the table about his own amazing sense of taste. He asks Reuben... (full context)

Mr. Andreeson calls Roxanna's house the next morning with news that the man who was supposed to... (full context)

For two days, the Lands hear nothing from Andreeson. A chilling wind picks up outside, and Reuben, thinking of Davy and Sara, wonders out... (full context)

...waiting by the phone. Reuben continues to worry about Davy in the cold. Dad calls Andreeson's motel in the afternoon. The desk clerk tells Dad that he took a note for... (full context)

A horrible thought grips Reuben. Dad asks Reuben what's wrong, and Reuben says that Andreeson is in trouble. He thinks of Mr. Waltzer's lack of concern at hearing about Andreeson,... (full context)

...is certainly crazy and therefore it's silly to ascribe meaning to his not caring about Andreeson. The posse stops and Mr. Ford asks Reuben if it looks familiar. Reuben knows that... (full context)

Snuggled against Mr. Ford's horse, Reuben cries and prays for Davy, Andreeson, Sara, and Mr. Waltzer. When he hears Mr. Ford speak, Reuben scrambles back to the... (full context)

...waiting for Davy. A number of investigators stop by over the next few months, but Andreeson is never heard from. (full context)

Reuben tells one investigator that Mr. Waltzer surely put Andreeson's body in a lignite vein, but the investigator seems uninterested. Swede snappily tells Reuben that... (full context)

Nobody mentions Andreeson, but Reuben thinks about him. After 11 pm, Reuben goes upstairs with Dad to make... (full context)

Jape Waltzer was never caught, much like Valdez. Davy eventually tells Reuben that Waltzer bludgeoned Andreeson and rolled the body into the lignite vein. When Reuben was 25, Andreeson's adult son... (full context)

Martin Andreeson Character Analysis

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Martin Andreeson Character Timeline in Peace Like a River